Fallen cable not live - KiwiRail

After an overhead line fell onto tracks in Auckland, KiwiRail has confirmed that it was not carrying electricity.

Services on the Western line were disrupted for nearly four hours after the fallen cable halted services after 5pm yesterday.

The line landed two hundred metres from a pedestrian crossing over the tracks near Mt Albert, closing the Western line during yesterday's evening peak.

The line was closed for nearly an hour, and services were then reduced to a rail shuttle between New Lynn and Morningside, connecting with regular trains on either side.

Auckland Transport said it was seeking more detail from KiwiRail, which owns the new electrification system.

KiwiRail said earlier it was a 25,000 volt traction wire but now say it was a supporting, unpowered cable.

It said a supporting cable carrying the live line appeared to have broken, and they would be checking the overhead system tonight as a precaution.

The overhead line is part of the almost-complete electrification of Auckland's rail network, with the Western line carrying only occasional electric commuter trains, ahead of full service later this year.

The company is planning to check the overhead system tonight to finish repairs and carry out maintenance.